How to Prepare for Online Learning in the Fall

If you’re a parent with school-aged children, the question of the hour is about school in the fall. How will online learning be taught? When will it start? Should I homeschool?

Our family weathered the storm of distance learning this spring, but I recognize that’s easier to do with an only child and a flexible work schedule. For many families, the spring was a nightmare. And now we’re trying to start the year off right.

I get it.

But before you rush out and spend a bunch of money on new desks, homeschooling curriculum, and rearrange your house, I recommend taking a step back to “pause and plan.”

You have time, I promise. Take a deep breath and read on.

Step 1 – Enjoy Summer

The school year will be here before you know it. For the sake of our children and their childhood that was turned upside down in March, let’s try to enjoy the last few weeks summer.

Be present, in this moment, which we’ll never get back. Since I have 4 summers left before my one-and-only heads off to college, I don’t plan to waste a single one.

But here’s the thing…This is the advice of my 14-year-old. 

Our school district recently decided on an all-virtual start for fall. My son’s response, “We did online learning in the spring and we’ll figure it out in the fall. Until then, I want to enjoy my summer.”

Drop the mic.

Off he goes to play Fortnite, ride his longboard, and swim at the pool. And I’m following his lead by providing safe summer activities.

Step 2 – Find a Trusted Friend

Talk through your concerns about online learning and brainstorm together. If you are that trusted friend, start with a posture of love and acceptance. Because we are all in this together.

[bctt tweet=”Our decision about how our children return to school may differ, but our ability to be kind and encouraging remains the same.” username=”simplyenoughamy”]

Choose kindness. There are no easy solutions, but we can put our heads together and be better for it. Help each other and consider the following in your conversation.  

• Work Schedule and Location – Flexible or Not? Do you have different childcare needs this year? Partner with a family to swap days or share a sitter. Tight budget? Offer service hours to a high schooler for babysitting or tutoring. Collaborate with a small bubble of friends to keep your family safe and sane.
• Family Activities – Maybe this is the year to drop a few items and embrace the many canceled activities. Most families admit that when the spring schedule came to a screeching halt, they actually enjoyed the downtime. Let’s not jump out of the frying pan and into the fire. What activities do your kids really miss? Treat this year as a blank canvas. 

[bctt tweet=”Show me your calendar and I’ll show you your priorities. —-The Minimalists.” username=”simplyenoughamy”]

• Children’s Learning Style – How do your kids like to do homework? Where do they like to work? Before you purchase cute IKEA desks for everyone, make sure that’s where they want to work. Think back to the spring. Where did you observe them being most productive? My kid prefers the floor of my home office or our dining room table where he can spread out. A desk is wasted on him and many others.
• Educational Support – What services will the school offer? If it’s in the budget, hire a tutor for subjects you feel ill-equipped to teach your child.  If it’s not in the budget, talk to family and friends who might be able to assist. Partner with other parents, safely of course. Build your village.

Step 3 – Make a Plan

Assuming you won’t forget Step 1 to enjoy your summer, you can make a plan. Write out not just your concerns but potential solutions. Talk to your spouse. They have good ideas. And they have different ideas to help shoulder the burden with you.

Focus on planning you can do to start the year off right

• Meal Planning – Just owning an InstaPot is not enough to solve this problem. You have to create a meal plan.
• Declutter the House – Common areas first (Family room, foyer, etc)
• Evaluate the Calendar
• Organize the Home Office
• Embrace Clean Counters in the Kitchen
• Tackle Clothing Closets

Create Calm in Chaos

There are so many unknowns about the coming months. When will kids return to school full time? How long will online learning last? Can they really learn effectively on a screen? It’s impossible to control the answers to these questions right now. 

But you can control the environment where they learn by eliminating the distractions, clutter, and chaos of a disorganized home. 

If you want to do something to get ready for fall, start there. Clean some closets, create some empty space that is conducive to learning.

I think you’ll probably find you don’t need to buy those cute desks after all.